Officials Estimate Flood Damage In Grant County

Portions Of S. Wisconsin Flooded After Last Week's Storms

Updated: 5:39 pm CDT July 26, 2010

Much of southern Wisconsin is still dealing with flooding issues on Monday, but Grant County was hit particularly hard with heavy rains last week and residents are still tallying the damage.

article SLIDESHOW: See Images From Grant County Flooding

Officials said that flash flooding has caused more than $1 million in damage in the county.

Emergency management officials continued their work Sunday in assessing the damage in various townships caused by heavy rain overnight Friday. Some homes near Potosi were evacuated early Saturday as the rain came down.

Emergency management director Steve Braun said that flooding has caused $600,000 in infrastructure damage so far.

Some roads and bridges in rural areas of the county were heavily damaged or washed away.

Many residents in the area were forced out of their homes on a moment's notice, WISC-TV reported.

"(I) tried to get the car out and by that time, it's too late. Trying to get everything, get dressed. We were sleeping, get dressed and everything, but the water is too high. You can't get out," said Larry Ames, whose home was damaged.

"The Fire Department come banging on the door, told me my driveway was gone. I couldn't get out and go anywhere, so they wanted me to go up to the fire station," said resident Leland Udelhofen.

The Red Cross is providing flood cleanup kits for residents. The kits can be picked up at the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said that residents with flood damage can call the Grant County Emergency Management Office at 608-723-7171.

Officials recommend those who have private wells submerged beneath floodwaters should test it before the water is used for drinking or cooking. They said that water testing kits can be obtained at the county Health Department office, located at 111 S. Jefferson St., in Lancaster. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The American Red Cross will be providing cleanup kits for Grant County residents, which will be available at four distribution sites starting Tuesday morning. Well-water testing kits and bottled drinking water for those with contaminated or potentially contaminated wells will also be available at these sites, officials said. Cleanup kits will be available 24 hours at each site, and American Red Cross volunteers will be on site from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at each location.

The locations are:

  • Platteville: Platteville Police Department (75 N. Bonson Street)
  • Lancaster: Grant County Law Enforcement Center (1000 North Adams Street)
  • Dickeyville: Community Building (500 East Avenue)
  • Potosi: Fire Station (210 N. Main Street)

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